Effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise, Cold Application and Local Anesthesia Performed Before Chest Tube Removal on Pain and Comfort Levels and Vital Sings of the Patient

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise, cold application and local anaesthesia before chest tube removal on pain, comfort level and life findings of the patient. Material and Methods: In the sample of the controlled experimental study, 160 patients in whom a chest tube was placed in the chest surgery service of a university hospital for any reason and who met the inclusion criteria were included. In the study, three intervention groups (progressive muscle relaxation exercise, cold application and local anaesthesia) and a control group were constituted and 40 individuals were assigned to each group. Pain intensity and comfort level were measured in 5 minutes before chest tube removal, immediately after tube removal and 15 minutes after tube removal in all groups and hemodynamic indicators were recorded as well. Patient Information Form, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Comfort Scale and Vital Signs Monitoring Form were used to collect the data. Results: Immediately after removing the chest tube, it was found that the pain in the relaxation exercise and control group increased compared to before, the comfort decreased; the pain in the cold application and local anaesthesia group significantly decreased (p